The Scrap Quilt

The scrap quilt took about 10 years to make. Not that it was that difficult; it just spent a lot of time idle. The pattern came from a block-of-the month calendar (1996, I believe) and I thought "what a great way to whittle down my stash of fabric!" The plan was to make a block a month, but soon other projects got in the way. Years later, I finally completed it but I didn't like it. Back in the closet it went! One day, I got the idea to put sequins on it and that's exactly what it needed to go from ho-hum to wow!

The crow block was the first block I made.

July's block.

Cat and sewing notions.

A few more squares!

My favorite square.

My Happy Place!

Here is a corner of the backyard that is positively bursting! When we moved into our new house, the backyard was nothing but dirt ... a perfect blank canvas. It's a perpetual work in progress and that's fine with me!
The muddy area at the bottom of the photo is the future flagstone path. Right above that is last year's vegetable garden that is now completely covered in California poppies just waiting for their time to put on a show.



Here is another view that includes the dry creek bed. This was a low spot where water pooled and plants drowned. We decided to turn it into something beautiful by adding river rock to create a flowing focal point. Eventually, there will be ground cover and plants everywhere there is now mulch.
The huge cacti sprung from just three ears collected off the ground in Sonoma. That side of the house gets sun all day long and the cacti are thrilled with their new home. In late summer, they bloom with papery yellow, pink, and orange flowers. I'm now itching to get outside and get some dirt under my nails!

Finally!

I know this is no way to run a blog! I got myself bogged down trying to get a good picture of the redwork quilt. It was difficult to photograph because it is HUGE (just about bed-sized). I ended up draping it over the fence. Because it is white, it was hard to photograph without it washing out. Anyway...TA DA! It's hand-embroidered, hand quilted and just how I wanted it to turn out.

Stealing Silverware

Get it? Stealing, like "stealing away into the night". This old silverware looks like it's up to no good...
planning an escape from the silverware drawer, perhaps?

Hangin' Out

Each square of this quilt was so much fun to make!

And the Dish Ran Away With the Cup and Knife!

Another happy square!

Jump On In!

Cups and saucers,
Plates and dishes,
Your old man wears dirty britches!

Remember those funny jump rope rhymes from childhood? Now they are captured in a quilt square!